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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: samblahh on December 12, 2019, 10:46:55 PM

Title: Hybridization of sulfur in thionyl chloride
Post by: samblahh on December 12, 2019, 10:46:55 PM

Hello!

My question regards the hybridization of sulfur in thionyl chloride (SOCl₂). I am also interested in finding the number of σ and π bonds in the molecule.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Thionyl-chloride-2D-dimensions.png)

The way that our teacher has us determine hybridization is to determine the steric number of the molecule. The steric number of thionyl chloride is four. Thus the hybridization of sulfur is sp³.

There is a double bond (1 π bond and 1 σ bond) and two single bonds (2 σ bonds). This gives a total of 3 σ bonds and one π bond.

The question is graded in 3 parts... I have two parts of three correct. You do not have to give me the answer, I was just hoping someone could guide me in the right direction.

P.S. sorry if my formatting is poor, I am new to this forum!

Title: Re: Hybridization of sulfur in thionyl chloride
Post by: AWK on December 13, 2019, 12:41:40 AM

sp³ Hybridization fulfills octet rule requirement for sulfur atom but then there is no π (double) bond.